Veteran Obituaries

In peaceful Red Oak Grove Cemetery are the graves of 71 veterans. They served in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. One veteran, Robert F. W Ehlers, served in both Korea and Vietnam.

We honor their service and sacrifice.

Becker, David E., 1951 – 1995, VIETNAM era.
Mr. Becker died Sunday at his home, after an extended illness.
He was employed as a salesman at Tires Plus, Cedar Rapids; Automotive Diagnostics, Curtis Mathis TV and Snap-On Tools. Mr. Becker married Martha Tenley Harden in 1989 in Las Vegas. He was affiliated with St. John’s Reformed Church and had served in Iowa National Guard.
Survivors  include his wife, a son, Blake, Tipton; stepsons, Tony and Tim Harden, both of Tipton; his parents, Alvin and Leota Becker, Tipton; sisters, Donna Oldorf; Cedar Rapids, and Marian McKee, Denver, and a brother, Steve, Stanwood.

Beckmann, Vernon Henry, 1918 – 2005, WW II;
Vernon Henry Beckmann, 87, died Sunday, Oct 9, 2005, in St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, from complications of a broken hip. Services: 11. a.m. Wednesday, Fry Funeral Home in Tipton, where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today. The Rev. Carol, Lamp will officiate. Burial: Red Oak Cemetery.
Vernon was born March 29, 1918, in White Lake, SD, the son of Henry and Marie (Boedeker)
Beckmann, he married Mary Arnold in 1942 in Tipton. Vernon farmed and was a member of Red Oak Presbyterian Church and Tipton, VFW Post 2537; past director of Farm Bureau and past member of Red Oak Cemetery Board. He served in the Army during World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Mary of Mechanicsville; sons, Ray and wife Rorma of Cresco, and Tom and wife Ruth and John, both of Mechanicsville; grandchildren, great grandchildren; a sister, Lucille Toop and husband Russell of Arab, Ala., a brother, Robert and wife Irene of White Lake, S.D.; and a sister-in-law, Dalphene Beckmann of Plankinton, S.D. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Marie, and a brother, William.

Chappell, Fergurson, CIVIL WAR;
Died at age 59 years 24 days; wife Helen Melvin Chappell; son of James & Elspet [Smith] Ferguson was the proprietor of the Clarence Flouring-mill, Clarence; was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, October 20, 1821; he lived there until 35 years of age, then emigrated to the United States and Cedar County, Red Oak Township, in November, 1851, and has been a resident of this county ever since, with the exception of one year; in 1859 he went to California by overland route; he engaged in mining, and was quite successful; has been engaged in the milling business in Clarence eleven years.  He married Miss Ellen Melvin June 19, 1851, a native of Scotland; no family.
[Dayton Twp]

Collins, John, 1800 – 1894, CIVIL WAR;
Husband of Alice.
Obituary – Death or Mr. John Collins. The death of John Collins, an aged and respected citizen, occurred at the home of his son-in-law, James Davidson, near Stanwood last Sunday. Mr. Collins would have been ninety years old, if he had lived till next August, and until within the past few months has been quite active and well. He failed rapidly however, during the past few weeks, and at last died from general declining and old age.
Deceased was born in Ireland and came to Cedar County back in the fifties settling at Red Oak Grove. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church of Tipton and had many friends here. One son resides in Minnesota and one in CA. Mrs. Walter Shearer, of Tipton, Mrs. E. Davidson, and Mrs. James Davidson of Stanwood, are daughters of the deceased. The funeral was from the church at Red Oak Tuesday.
1860 Census, IA, Cedar, Red Oak, John 59, born in Ireland, Alice, 52, born in Ireland, William, 19, born in NY, son, James, 15, NY, son, John, 6, IA, Ida Shearer,  granddaughter, 8/12, IA. Note, their daughter Margaret, wife of John Shearer, died in 1859, age 25, and is buried at Red Oak. John & Alice raised their daughter Ida. 1880 Census, IA, Cedar Co., Tipton, (Second St.), John Collins, 80, born in Ireland,  Alice, 77, born in Ireland, Ida Shearer, granddaughter, 21, born in IA.

Crowley, Jack Thomas, 1922 -2007, WW II
Jack Thomas Crowley, son of Thomas Benton and Breezie Mae Hughs Crowley, was born on December 30, 1922 in Clarendon, Arkansas. Jack enlisted in the United States Navy on October 20, 1942 and served his country in WWII until he was honorably discharged on December 8, 1944. Jack was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Ring on March 26, 1955 in Bettendorf, Iowa. Jack was a talented man who could do anything that he put his mind to do. He worked for Wick’s Lumber for many years, attended Scott Community College, was a member of the Baptist faith and was a lifetime member of the Tipton Veterans of Foreign Wars – Post 2537 in Tipton, Iowa. [Excerpt from obituary].

Davis, Clarence A., 1894 – 1935, WWI,
son of Effie [Andrews] & Joshua Davis.
1900 Census, IA, Cedar Co., Fairfield & Red Oak Twps., Joshua, 44, Sep 1855, farmer, born in IA, parents born in IN, Effie, 37,  Jan 1863, born IN, Forest W., 10, Jul, 1889, Roy L., 8, Apr 1892, Clarence A., 5,  Jun 1894, Harry A., 3, Oct 1896, John Henry, 9/12, Aug 1899. The 1910 Census, includes siblings, Alford V., born 1902, Elsie, E., born 1904, Edna M., born, 1907.
WWI Draft Registration states:  address, Tipton, IA, born in Iowa, Jun 14, 1894, age, 22, occupation Farm Labor, worked for Emil Olson, Red Oak Precinct, description, tall, slender, blue eyes, brown hair.

Davis, Harry Abner, 1896 – 1968; WW I; CALIF BM 1 US NAVY,
son of Effie [Andrews] & Joshua Davis.
1900 Census, IA, Cedar Co., Fairfield & Red Oak Twp., Joshua, 44, Sep 1855, farmer, born in IA, parents born in IN, Effie, 37,  Jan 1863, born IN, Forest W., 10, Jul, 1889, Roy L., 8, Apr 1892, Clarence A., 5,  Jun 1894, Harry A., 3, Oct 1896, John Henry, 9/12, Aug 1899. The 1910 Census, includes siblings, Alford V., born 1902, Elsie, E., born 1904, Edna M., born, 1907.

Davis, John Henry, 1899 – 1971, PVT US ARMY WWI,
husband of Ludian Kathleen ‘Dean’ Davis; son of Joshua Davis & Effie Andrews.
Obituary – Last rites for John H. Davis, 72, will be held at the Sheets & Sons Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, with the Rev. Eugene Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Red Oak Cemetery; military rites will be conducted at the grave site by the Clarence Post of the American Legion. Mr. Davis died at the Veteran’s Home in Iowa City on Sep. 28. Visitation will begin today (Sep. 30). The Tipton Conservative-Advertiser, 9/30/1971.
1900 Census, IA, Cedar Co., Fairfield & Red Oak Twp.; Joshua, 44, farmer, born IN IA, parents born in IN, Effie, 37,  born IN, Forest W., 10, Roy L., 8, Clarence A., 5,  Harry A., 3, John Henry, 9/12. The 1910 Census, includes siblings, Alford V., born 1902, Elsie, E., born 1904, Edna M., born, 1907.

Davis, John Whitley, 1824 – 1887, CIVIL WAR; PVT CO F 17TH IA INF, POW,
Enlisted April 7, 1862, in Company F, 17th Iowa Infantry, Civil War. Captured and held as prisoner of war by Confederate forces. Mustered out April 15, 1865 at Davenport, IA; died at age 63y 4m 24days.
Wife; Mary A. Terrill Davis; born 13 Jul 1824, Wilminton, Dearborn Co., IN; died 7 Dec 1887, Cedar Co., IA; parents: Zimni Davis [25 May 1783-11 Oct 1853] and Laura Whitley Davis [16 Sep 1792-6 Mar 1875].
1860 Census, Cedar Co., Fremont Twp, Mechanicsville PO, John, age 36, born IN, Mary A., age 39, born KY, Margaret, 8, Joshua, age 6, born IA, Laura, age 2, born IA; Frances A. Hunt, 34, born IN.
1870 Census, Iowa, Cedar, Fremont, J W Davis, farmer, born IN, Margaret, 17, IA, Joshua, 15, IA, Abner, 9, IA.
1880 Census, Iowa, Cedar, Fremont, John Davis, 56, farmer, born IN, Father Mass, mother VT; Abner, 19, son, Maggie Centers, 27, daughter. Children were born in IA, father IN, mother KY.

Davis, Roy L., 1892 – 1917, WWI.
Son of Effie [Andrews] & Joshua Davis.
1900 Census, IA, Cedar Co., Fairfield & Red Oak Twp., Joshua, 44, Sep 1855, farmer, born in IA, parents born in IN, Effie, 37,  Jan 1863, born IN, Forest W., 10, Jul, 1889, Roy L., 8, Apr 1892, Clarence A., 5,  Jun 1894, Harry A., 3, Oct 1896, John Henry, 9/12, Aug 1899. The 1910 Census, includes siblings, Alford V., born 1902, Elsie, E., born 1904, Edna M., born, 1907.
Dee, Robert Frick, 1922 – 2005, WW II,
Robert F. Dee, age 89, died February 12, 2005, of complications resulting from a stroke. He was born in Alburnett, Iowa, was raised on the farm during the Great Depression, and was a combat pilot in WWII, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal. After the war, Robert completed his college degree, and spent a career in marketing, finishing his career as the Marketing Manager of the Forest Product Division at Owens-Illinois. Robert was devoted to his wife, Suzanne [Penningroth], for 59 years, and leaves 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
Doermann, Lavern Herman Carl, 1927 – 2005, VETERAN – KOREAN WAR
Lavern Herman Carl Doermann, son of Charles Ernest & Minnie Sophie Brinkman Doermann, was born May 9, 1927, in Tipton, Iowa. He was a 1945 graduate of Tipton High School. Lavern served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. On November 5, 1955, he was united in marriage to Anker Marilyn Muchow in Nashua, Iowa. He was a retired Sign Crew Supervisor on Secondary Roads in Cedar County. He was a member of the United Church of Christ, Clarence and a member of the VFW Post 2537 in Tipton. [Excerpt from obituary].

Dorcas, John W, 1838-1861,
son of Andrew Dorcas and Mary M. Miller. John W. was in the army in the 35th Regiment Iowa Volunteers, Company E.; was in the siege of Vicksburg and other battles; Enlisted in Company H, 35th Iowa Infantry, on August 18, 1862; discharged for disability on September 3, 1863. He died of disease contracted in the army. Son of A. & M. Dorcas.  [Red Oak Twp].

Edwards, Thomas, 1890 – 1965, WW I,
wife Alice M. Clark; son of David Edwards & Cynthia Webb [1925 census]
1930 Census, IA, Jackson Co, Union, Thomas A. Edwards, fireman, steam railroad, 38, born in IA, parents born in IA, Alice M., 35, born in Iowa, Donald E., 15, David C., 11, Ailene E., 8, Earl E., 6, Richard T., 2 5/12, children born in Iowa.

Ehlers, Robert, F.W., 1928 – 2003,  KOREA/VIETNAM
Mr. Ehlers died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2003 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, from complications of cancer.
He was employed in shipping and receiving at Kartridg Pak, Davenport.
He was born Dec. 27, 1928, in rural Clarence, Cedar County. He married Shirley Thomson in 1973 in Rock Island. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Harriet.
He had served in the Air Force.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley; daughters, Patti Fonteyne and Lori Foley, both of Tipton; sons, Cecil Slach, Stanwood, and Michael, Kaukauna, Wis.; eight grandchildren; a great-grandchild; sisters, Venita Rorick and Jeanette Matthews; and brothers, Kenneth and Merlin. [Excerpt from obituary].

Findlay, Charles W., 1898 – 1967, WW I; IA PFC 499, Aero Squad.
Son of William A. Findlay & Lillian Mahon [1925 census].
1910 Census, IA, Cedar, Fremont, William Findley, grain dealer, elevator, 40, born in IA, parents, Scot/English, Lillian Maud, 40, born IL, mother of 7 children, 3 living; Charles W, 11, Margaret, 7, Gene (daughter), 5, children born in IA.
1930 Census, IA, Fairfield, Cedar Co., CW Findlay, 31, farmer; Ella, 26, wife; Lee Waterman, 19, farm laborer, lodger; all born in Iowa. Note: Charles & Lee are related; see 1925 Census, William Findlay.

Fleming, Gary Lee, 1846 – 2005, VIETNAM;
Gary Lee Fleming, son of William and Wilma Grace Turner Fleming, was born January 28, 1946, in Fairfield, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. Degree in engineering. Gary served in the United States Marine Corps and was employed as a construction engineer and worked as an n estimator/project manager. Gary was united in marriage to Gail Lynn Anderson on June 16, 1973 in DeKalb, Illinois. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Estimators and the Iowa State University Alumni Association. [Excerpt from obituary]

Fulwider, James Ralph, 1927 – 2001, CPL US ARMY KOREA,
Mr. Fulwider died Jan. 2 at Manorcare Health Services in Cedar Rapids, following an extended illness.
The son of Harold and Nona Chapman Fulwider, he was born May 5, 1927 in Iowa City. He graduated from Springdale high school in 1945. He married Nora Bea Wolfe on July 22, 1955 in Chicago, Ill.
Mr. Fulwider had been a farmer, a salesman for Cen Pe Co Oil, a mechanic and an employee at Hoover Library in West Branch.
He served in the U.S. Army in Korea.
Mr. Fulwider was a member of the Red Oak Presbyterian church, Rochester Masonic Lodge No. 32, and the West Branch American Legion.
He is survived by his wife; daughters June Seligman and husband Dale, Mechanicsville; and Karen Anderson and husband Scott, Tipton; a son, David Fulwider and wife Lisa, Tipton; 2 sisters, Ruby Phelps and husband Max, Tipton; and Laurale Hunter and husband Kenneth, West Branch; 5 grandchildren, a great-grandchild,  and a sister-in-law, Edith Fulwider, West Branch.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Fulwider and Nona Fulwider Hipple; a brother, Jack Fulwider; and his stepfather, Forrest Hipple.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Research. [Excerpt from obituary].

Gault, Franklin, 1931 – 2000, Korea,
Wife, Donna J; parents of Elizabeth, Barbara, Mary.
Obituary – Franklin Gault Funeral services for Franklin Lewis Gault, 68, Tipton, were held Feb. 10, 2000 at the Tipton United Methodist church, with the Rev. DeLane Wright officiating. Sylvia Gould was the organist and Matt Wright sang. Pallbearers were Ronald Schroeder, Ricci Aquilana, Steve Allen, Patrick McGovern, Ryne Schroeder, John Naber and Roger Schroeder. Burial, with graveside military honors, was in the Red Oak cemetery, rural Tipton. Mr. Gault died Feb. 7 at his home in Tipton, following a lingering illness.
The son of John Franklin-and Berdina Elizabeth Moore Gault, he was born Feb. 11, 1931 in Atlantic. He graduated from Exira high school in 1950 and the University of Iowa in 1958. He married Donna Jean Horner on June 15, 1956 in Sewal.
Mr. Gault had been a life insurance salesman since July 1958. He served in the U.S. Navy.
He was a former member of the Tipton Rotary Club and a member of the United Methodist church in Tipton.
Mr. Gault was a lifetime member of the App-A-Week Club, qualified for the National quality Award 31 times and the National Sales Achievement Award for 25 years. He qualified for 13 elite Presidents Cabinets, 13 national American Mutual conventions and many regional conventions.
He is survived by his wife; 3 daughters, Elizabeth (Ronald) Schroeder, Wilton; Barbara (Ricci) Aquilana, Clinton; and Mary Gault, Tipton; 2 half-sisters, Gano Smith, Coon Rapids, and Melissa (Darrell) Jensen, Volga, S.D.; a half-brother, J.D. Gault, Reno, Nev.; 4 grandchildren, Ashley and Ryne Schroeder; and Arians and Andrea Aquilana; a special cousin, Mary McGovern, Austin, Texas; an uncle, Jim Moore; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, grandparents and a nephew, Greg Smith.
Memorials may be made to the Iowa City Hospice and the First United Methodist church in Tipton.

Goodrich, Ezra, 1846-1920.
Ezra enlisted at age 18, on January 5, 1864, in Company B, 24th Iowa Infantry, Civil War. Wounded at Winchester, Virginia; and was wounded in the battle of Opequan Creek, September 19, 1864, discharged for wounds on January 25, 1865.  Ezea is the son of John Goodrich & Durancy Rickard. [Red Oak Twp].
1880 Census, IA, Muscatine Co., Muscatine, Ezra Goodrich, age 34, Carpenter, born IA; Ella, 21, born IA, father IN, mother PA.
1885 IA State Census, Muscatine Co., Muscatine, Ezra Goodrich, age 38, Carpenter, IA; Ella, 25, keeping house.
1900 Census, IA, Muscatine Co., Muscatine, Ezra, born Jan 1846, Carpenter, married at age 20; [listed alone but marked married].
1910 Census, IA, Muscatine Co., Muscatine, Ezra, 64, Carpenter, Laura, wife, 54, born IA, father OH, mother PA, years of present marriage, 6, mother of 2, 2 living.

751 King Ave., Tipton, IA 52772
PO Box 452
(563) 886-6018
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